Page 21 of Path of the Dark
Eventually, the evening came to an end. The four of them rose from the table and left the banquet chamber. In the shadowy hallway beyond, the king and queen bid Ninia and Elias good night before linking arms and heading up a set of stairs toward the royal apartments.
Elias watched the king go, his brow furrowing.
What’s that sneaky bastard up to?
He wondered if he’d find out tomorrow—he and Nathan had a full day of negotiations planned.
With an escort of guards, Ninia and Elias turned left, making their way toward the central stairwell.
“Are you staying in the palace tonight?” Elias asked, his tone deliberately light. Thanks to Nathan’s meddling, they’d hardly spoken to each other since the main course.
“I’ll return to the House,” Ninia replied. “It’s my home now.”
“You appear to have adjusted well to your new life.”
She cut him a sharp look. “I’ve had little choice … but I do enjoy living with the other enchanters.” Her expression shadowed then. “Life could be lonely in the Swallow Keep. I had no sisters, and my two elder brothers were always too busy for me.”
“My brother and I fought like two pit dogs growing up,” Elias admitted with a smile. “We had a string of governesses, who despaired of us.” His smile faded a little. “My father was pleased though … he brought us up to be rivals.”
Ninia’s head inclined, curiosity lighting in her eyes. “Why was that?”
They’d reached the stairwell and now began the long descent down to the lower levels.
This is your chance, a voice whispered to him.Take it … now.
“Father wanted his sons to be tough,” he replied. “He wanted to see which of us was the most ruthless.”
“And which of you was it?”
Elias gave a soft laugh. “I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “Saul possibly … he was always more cunning than me.”
Halfway down the stairwell, they reached a wide landing, where Elias drew to a halt. The party of four guards accompanying them also stopped, waiting a respectful few yards back. Elias turned to Ninia before favoring her with a brisk bow. “I shall bid you good night now, princess.”
What are you doing?The voice bellowed in his skull now.Don’t walk away from her!
Ninia nodded, although she didn’t move. Her gaze was dark in the flickering light of the sconces burning on the wall behind her. “You’re an enigma, Elias of Anthor,” she said softly. “I really don’t know what to make of you.”
Elias’s mouth quirked, yet he didn’t reply. Best to keep the princess wondering.
Ninia picked up her skirts and stepped away from him. “Goodnight.”
Elias watched her go, remaining still as two guards passed by. The other two stayed with him. He wasn’t allowed to wander the hallways of the palace without an escort.
Ninia disappeared from view round the curve of the stairwell, but Elias didn’t move.
Kill, kill, kill, kill.
The voice was screaming at him now, insisting he bounded after Ninia and ended her life. He’d just missed the best chance he’d possibly ever get to kill the princess. Just four guards, and with Ninia in close proximity. He could have whipped the blade from his boot and cut her throat, before she’d had time to gather either the Light or the Dark. The guards would have been easy to deal with.
But he’d let her walk away.
Elias ran a tired hand over his face and resisted the urge to mutter a curse. He didn’t understand why he’d just done that.
What’s wrong with me?
